We crave democracy by Mactheblack Lyrics

WE CRAVE DEMOCRACY [Title]

[VERSE 1]

You gave birth to despair - apartheid
A throw-away child, [system abandoned us] I had no fight
We bore the burden, [of a pariah community] like things despised
The weight of inhumanity, [inferiority] you never recognised
Colours of our rainbow nation [different races] blurred your lines [didn't recognize one nation]
The Weight of oppression, shackled into our confines [activists incarcerated]

[Chorus]

Now still we crave ... democracy; [still struggling despite democracy and one man one vote]

Now still we crave ... a better life

Now still we crave democracy;

[VERSE 2]
There shall be equality for all, not this lunacy [still too much crime, corruption]
Politics of, a grave inhumanity [many still destitute as money wasted]
So lives lie ruined this our destiny;
Still there's madness in the street [still protests bedevil the new 20 year old democracy]
Some deja vu we place our feet; [seems like the old days of activism against apartheid]
Bloodied in those of our ancestors [we carry their pain]
Who say open the doors
To a life of prosperity ...
Not inhumanity, not inhumanity [all people need a better life]

[Chorus]

Now we still crave democracy

Now still we crave .... a better life ..


Now still we crave democracy

[VERSE 3]

A life of equality, Not this fallacy
A people's greed and opulence
The politics of entitlement does it make sense? [politicians lining their pockets]
Hungry children on pavements crying; [children suffer due to self-enrichment - we need to think of the future]
And our mothers, fathers dying....
So Where on earth will it end ...
And Who will defend ....
Our rights, our fight, our plight

[Chorus]


Now still we crave democracy

Now still we crave .. a better life


Now still we crave democracy
Not this our destiny

[VERSE 4]

A brother with a shotgun to his head [youth turning to crime]
He lies on a lonely road, yet another dead [gangsterism rife]
A nation ponders, families left to ruin [families destroyed by gangsterism]
Try as we might, battles we can't win [authorities seem to battle to uphold the law]
Too many lives lived in fear [we are free but not free on the streets]
For some too much to bear [people going abroad for greener pastures]
A country lies battered and bruised
Yet another child's dignity abused [child abuse still a problem]

[Chorus]
Now still we crave ... democracy;

Now still we crave ... a better life

[VERSE 5]

Now still we crave democracy
We need to rid of this legacy
Now shacks have grown [poverty in informal settlements]
Where many still sit forlorn; [people need jobs]
One wipes his brow, as if poverty his fate
He had hopes but destiny's date
Keeps reminding him of his fate [nowhere to turn to]
And now a nation sees the past [reminder of the past for the present generation]
In their future, they say will last

[Chorus]

Now still we crave ... democracy;

Now still we crave ... a better life

Now still we crave democracy

[VERSE 6]

Not this autocracy
Vulnerable lies a Political heartland of malice [politicians don't care about the under privileged]
Now they claim the ills of a poisoned chalice [they inherited the system they say]
A landscape now lies riven
Hope the vestiges of dignity won't disappear into oblivion [need to pull back the frontiers of poverty and disenfranchisement]
The anger hate and prejudice [lots of racism still today]
Still lies buried in crumpled fists [poor are taking to the streets to protest their dismay/grievances]
And now issues of the past [still haunted by apartheid]
Still haunt us .. they last, they last [where will it end?]

[Chorus]
Now still we crave ... democracy;

Now still we crave ...

A better life

(then repeat and and fade last verse)

CREDITS:
Lyrics: Mark Carrels